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Our mobile and web service means that you can create your own routes or search our massive trails database for those created by experts or other community members. Once out on the trail, the ViewRanger app has all the features to allow you to go further with the confidence of being able to instantly locate yourself, to navigate accurately, search for places, view stats, even to share your location with friends.

You can choose from a massive range of maps that will work even without mobile coverage, so you can see all the trails, terrain and street level detail that you need. And the tracks you record, can be uploaded to be published or shared using your favourite social networking tools.

There are free and paid versions of the application, but I've found the freebie more than adequate (tested only for route creation at this stage). It uses OSM maps, so there is a data overhead, although the maps can be cached for offline use.

In addition to navigation, there's route and POI creation available in this application, and a host of other features including .gpx export.

You can setup a free account with ViewRanger, and utlise the web-based route planning, which is probably preferable to route creation on a smartphone if there's access to a PC (eg. internet cafe, etc.). The web interface has options for OSM and Google maps, as well as satellite and a range of others. Their server can be utilised as a repository for your route files, which can be shared with the community in much the same way as we share maps, etc. on this forum. As a result, there are free routes which can be downloaded from the site, although I think there's very much a U.K. bias at present.

Route Creation

1. From the map screen, use the menu to select Create/Route. Here you see a route with start and end points only - note the information in the top corner while the route is selected (red).01_Route(Start&End).gif

A new waypoint is typically inserted in the middle of an existing leg. Toggle between waypoint control and map pan/zoom, in order to place the waypoint. Note the offset controller for the waypoint (so as the position is not obscured by your finger). GREAT FEATURE! Place the waypoint and accept.04_IntermediateWaypoint.gif05_LocateWaypoint.gif

Social Integration

Hi all,

Not particularly my scene, but for those of you who can't do without your daily fix of Facebook and other social media, I've just received notification from ViewRanger that the latest update features social connectivity. Here's their article Find Friends, Find Publishers, and Share Trip Stories if you are interested.